deafening

adjective

deaf·​en·​ing ˈde-fə-niŋ 

ˈdef-niŋ

1

: that deafens

2

: very loud : earsplitting

fell with a deafening clap

3

: very noticeable

their silence on the issue was deafening

deafeningly adverb

Synonyms

• blaring
• blasting
• booming
• clamorous
• clangorous
• earsplitting
• loud
• piercing
• plangent
• resounding
• ringing
• roaring
• slam-bang
• sonorous
• stentorian
• thundering
• thunderous

Examples of deafening in a Sentence

the deafening roar of the planes

a boom box blasting deafening music

Recent Examples on the Web

Zoom out: While these protests may be vociferous, there's an equally deafening volume of grievances the SEC sees. —Hope King, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024

McBride’s defense turned into offense that later induced more deafening pops from The Garden crowd. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2024

The screams become so deafening and distracting that the person eventually has to leave their seat to find a private section to catch the show. —Deasia Paige, ELLE, 23 Aug. 2023

The noise figures to be more deafening, the signs less PG-rated, the taunts in this nearly border town pushing the borderline of good taste. —Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 2